Facebook launched. Funk singer Rick James died. Rockers Creed disbanded for the first time, perhaps thankfully. The Red Sox ended the Curse of the Bambino. Shrek 2 was raking it in at the box office.

These are a few things that took place in 2004. The Maple Leafs, as most not living under a rock are aware, were a playoff team then, but haven't been since.

Times eventually change. Barring a meltdown to end all meltdowns, Toronto will be competing for a Stanley Cup in the coming days. It might not have come quickly, but the team that never makes the playoffs is about to make the playoffs.

"I think some excitement is already starting to build," said Leafs forward Nazem Kadri, who was 14 when Eddie the Eagle, Mats Sundin and Co. last took the Leafs into the post-season following a 103-point campaign. "But by no means is our job finished."

Kadri is correct. His team needs a win against the visiting New York Islanders tonight along with a regulation-time loss by the Winnipeg Jets, who host struggling Carolina, to ensure a playoff ticket.

Five games remain for the Maple Leafs and as fans are so often reminded — remember that Devils-Isles shootout a few years back? — nothing is guaranteed.

"It would be awesome. Our fans have been patient and it's about time we give them something to cheer for," Kadri said following his team's morning skate.

"We're still trying our best to get these points that are necessary ... I think we'll get a pretty nice ovation if we cash these two points in."

While the Leafs have steered themselves in a winning direction this season and could potentially gain home ice in the playoffs because of that, head coach Randy Carlyle is in no mood to talk about something before it happens.

His focus in on beating the Islanders after a brutal loss in Washington on Tuesday and a substandard effort earlier in the week against the Devils.

"That's our team focus — to get our team playing back to where we're capable of playing, because the last six periods for us are not what we would say we'd be proud of," Carlyle said. "All the other stuff that gives you guys lots to talk about is something that we don't want to talk about as a coaching staff. We want to focus on the New York Islanders."

Toronto will be without the services of defenceman Carl Gunnarsson, who will miss a third consecutive game with a lower-body injury.

"He won't be available tonight, but he's improving," Carlyle said.

"Hopefully we have a target date of Saturday for him."

Forwards Clarke MacArthur and Matt Frattin also appear poised to draw back into the lineup after being healthy scratches.

James Reimer is expected to get the nod in net for the hosts. He starred in his last game, a shutout win over the Devils at the Air Canada Centre on Monday. Tonight would be Reimer's 14th start in the last 15 games.

The Islanders come in having won seven of their past 10 games and sitting seventh in the conference with 49 points.

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Maple Leafs can clinch playoff spot tonight

The Maple Leafs' quest to officially lock up a playoff spot continues tonight with the upstart Islanders in town for Toronto's second-last regular-season game of the season.

With just five games to go, the Maple Leafs (24-14-5) will be aiming to pad its positioning in the Eastern Conference against a drastically improved Isles squad poised to earn a post-season berth for the first time in six years.